Daycare=sick baby

My son started going to daycare when he was around 8 months old. Up until 8 months old...he was never sick...except a stuffy nose one time for a day. Since daycare...he seems to be sick every two weeks...and is sick again this weekend. Does anyone have advice on keeping babies healthy that are going to daycare?

My son started going to daycare when he was around 8 months old. Up until 8 months old...he was never sick...except a stuffy nose one time for a day. Since daycare...he seems to be sick every two weeks...and is sick again this weekend. Does anyone have advice on keeping babies healthy that are going to daycare?

I don't really have any advice, hope baby feels better soon. My little girl has been at daycare since 2 1/2 months old and she's only gotten a small cold once so far. It could be baby is just getting used to exposure of the other kids.

I don't really have any advice, hope baby feels better soon. My little girl has been at daycare since 2 1/2 months old and she's only gotten a small cold once so far. It could be baby is just getting used to exposure of the other kids.

Ours has been sick pretty much every other week since we sent him to daycare at 6 months. I'm just hoping he's getting the colds out of the way now. I'm a teacher, so he'll be home for the summer. I'm hoping for a nice sick-free summer!

Ours has been sick pretty much every other week since we sent him to daycare at 6 months. I'm just hoping he's getting the colds out of the way now. I'm a teacher, so he'll be home for the summer. I'm hoping for a nice sick-free summer!

My first son started daycare at 18 months, and it was the same thing. As soon as he would get over something he would get something else. The only suggestion I have is to wash Lo's hands as soon as you pick him up. I started doing this w my son, just put him in the car seat and use a wipe to clean his hands, and it helped. Although your LO is younger, so it may not help much, but can't hurt. They will get sick almost all the time until they get used to the germs. My 1st got used to it after awhile, then would get sick every new class he entered, more kids more germs.

My first son started daycare at 18 months, and it was the same thing. As soon as he would get over something he would get something else. The only suggestion I have is to wash Lo's hands as soon as you pick him up. I started doing this w my son, just put him in the car seat and use a wipe to clean his hands, and it helped. Although your LO is younger, so it may not help much, but can't hurt. They will get sick almost all the time until they get used to the germs. My 1st got used to it after awhile, then would get sick every new class he entered, more kids more germs.

My ds started daycare two days a week at 7 months. Since then he has been hospitalized 3 times, had two ear infections, two stomach bugs, a fever, bronchitis, pink eye (twice) and got a cold. If you find something feel free to share.

My ds started daycare two days a week at 7 months. Since then he has been hospitalized 3 times, had two ear infections, two stomach bugs, a fever, bronchitis, pink eye (twice) and got a cold. If you find something feel free to share.

Yup, LO has had 4 ear infections, several colds, severe RSV, Hand/Foot/Mouth disease, and the stomach bug since he started daycare. *Sigh*. I have recently started doing a lot more frequent hand washing with him lately and love the tip of using a handiwipe every day when you pick them up. I am also contemplating using probiotics regularly. Anyone have any experience with that? Here's hoping year #2 is better than year #1 for sickness...

Yup, LO has had 4 ear infections, several colds, severe RSV, Hand/Foot/Mouth disease, and the stomach bug since he started daycare. *Sigh*. I have recently started doing a lot more frequent hand washing with him lately and love the tip of using a handiwipe every day when you pick them up. I am also contemplating using probiotics regularly. Anyone have any experience with that? Here's hoping year #2 is better than year #1 for sickness...

OMG, I could of written this post. My son started daycare around 4 months old. He wasn't even there a week before he got his first cold. He has been sick literally every 2 weeks since the end of last year. He did go 3 weeks at one point. He's already been hospitalized for RSV and we would up at the ER last Sunday (mother's day) for double ear infection, thrush and roseola. I asked the doctor if it was normal to get sick so often and he said it can happen. Friends have said it does get better with age and hopefully it should be better over the summer. Only good thing is they are getting all the bugs now instead of when they are in school and then they would have to miss class.

OMG, I could of written this post. My son started daycare around 4 months old. He wasn't even there a week before he got his first cold. He has been sick literally every 2 weeks since the end of last year. He did go 3 weeks at one point. He's already been hospitalized for RSV and we would up at the ER last Sunday (mother's day) for double ear infection, thrush and roseola. I asked the doctor if it was normal to get sick so often and he said it can happen. Friends have said it does get better with age and hopefully it should be better over the summer. Only good thing is they are getting all the bugs now instead of when they are in school and then they would have to miss class.

My little guy had roseolla too! But it wasn't given to him by any of the extra kids here and as I was told by our pediatrician it was not a reason to keep other kids home. So sometimes it's not always daycare. That being said, I do run my own and the amount everyone's LO's are getting sick sounds really, really high to me. I mean we had two weeks in the winter when everyone had a cold and my little guy's been sick once (kids have been coming since he was 3 months and he's almost 11 now). I think if he was getting sick that much I'd look into what the sick policy was, if it's actually enforced, and ask what they do in terms of hand washing/sanitizing toys etc. Not to mention drop in at times when you know this stuff should be taking place (i.e. after lunch). Other kids will always get others sick, that happens. Hopefully it doesn't have to happen too much before your LO builds up an immunity to a lot of it. You could also send extra soap/sanitizer/wipes...anything you use to keep LO clean/germ free at home and ask them to use it for him there too. I have some parents who do that and it's great. You could maybe ask them too if any kid has a cold (not necessarily bad enough for the center to send them home but probably should have stayed home) to let you know and you could decide not to send LO that day (or pick them up early). But anyways, hopefully he builds up some immunity soon and it doesn't happen so often! :)

My little guy had roseolla too! But it wasn't given to him by any of the extra kids here and as I was told by our pediatrician it was not a reason to keep other kids home. So sometimes it's not always daycare. That being said, I do run my own and the amount everyone's LO's are getting sick sounds really, really high to me. I mean we had two weeks in the winter when everyone had a cold and my little guy's been sick once (kids have been coming since he was 3 months and he's almost 11 now). I think if he was getting sick that much I'd look into what the sick policy was, if it's actually enforced, and ask what they do in terms of hand washing/sanitizing toys etc. Not to mention drop in at times when you know this stuff should be taking place (i.e. after lunch). Other kids will always get others sick, that happens. Hopefully it doesn't have to happen too much before your LO builds up an immunity to a lot of it. You could also send extra soap/sanitizer/wipes...anything you use to keep LO clean/germ free at home and ask them to use it for him there too. I have some parents who do that and it's great. You could maybe ask them too if any kid has a cold (not necessarily bad enough for the center to send them home but probably should have stayed home) to let you know and you could decide not to send LO that day (or pick them up early). But anyways, hopefully he builds up some immunity soon and it doesn't happen so often! :)

As a pp stated eventually your lo will gain immunity to a lot of what their catching from day care. In my early 20s I worked at a day care center, my entire first year there I was sick constantly. Thankfully the rest of the time I was barely sick and even now it takes a lot for me to get sick. I would suggest looking into their practices of what they consider sick. Most centers will not allow a parent to drop off a child with a temperature or that has anything contagious. Common colds are just that and will lead to ear infections, runny noses, etc. I'd also inquire about how often they clean the rooms. When I worked at a center every toy had to be cleaned weekly. If a child put it in their mouth the the toy was put up to wash at the end of the day. Changing tables were cleaned after each use. Floors, cribs, high chairs, tables, bathrooms, etc were cleaned and sanitized nightly. Cots were sanitized weekly & crib sheets were washed weekly as well all blankets, pillows & lovies were sent home weekly. Basically you want to ensure they are doing their part to keep things clean & germ free too.

As a pp stated eventually your lo will gain immunity to a lot of what their catching from day care. In my early 20s I worked at a day care center, my entire first year there I was sick constantly. Thankfully the rest of the time I was barely sick and even now it takes a lot for me to get sick. I would suggest looking into their practices of what they consider sick. Most centers will not allow a parent to drop off a child with a temperature or that has anything contagious. Common colds are just that and will lead to ear infections, runny noses, etc. I'd also inquire about how often they clean the rooms. When I worked at a center every toy had to be cleaned weekly. If a child put it in their mouth the the toy was put up to wash at the end of the day. Changing tables were cleaned after each use. Floors, cribs, high chairs, tables, bathrooms, etc were cleaned and sanitized nightly. Cots were sanitized weekly & crib sheets were washed weekly as well all blankets, pillows & lovies were sent home weekly. Basically you want to ensure they are doing their part to keep things clean & germ free too.

From what I've noticed, an in-home daycare may help a little. Less kids=less illness, generally. My son started at an in-home daycare at 3 months and has rarely been sick and only mildly when he was. Of course this may not always be the case.

From what I've noticed, an in-home daycare may help a little. Less kids=less illness, generally. My son started at an in-home daycare at 3 months and has rarely been sick and only mildly when he was. Of course this may not always be the case.

I guess we got lucky. My baby has been in daycare since 7weeks old and she has not been sick yet. She had a bad case of allergies around 4 months but that's it. Sorry to everyone out there with sick babies. That's no fun at all. :(

I guess we got lucky. My baby has been in daycare since 7weeks old and she has not been sick yet. She had a bad case of allergies around 4 months but that's it. Sorry to everyone out there with sick babies. That's no fun at all. :(

Thanks ladies for the advice and support! Baby just got over 'strep throat' that started about a week ago and went to the er with 106.2 fever....now I'm sick. It just seems like a never ending cycle at the moment but i know it will get better once all of his immunities get built up....it's just rough having a sick baby! I hope everyone's little ones are happy and healthy and have a great summer!!

Thanks ladies for the advice and support! Baby just got over 'strep throat' that started about a week ago and went to the er with 106.2 fever....now I'm sick. It just seems like a never ending cycle at the moment but i know it will get better once all of his immunities get built up....it's just rough having a sick baby! I hope everyone's little ones are happy and healthy and have a great summer!!

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